!;! JEPTHA'S 
| 9f DAUGHTER 

JAMES MONROE CROMER 



Class 
Book 




Copyright^?. 






COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 




jXuvca JVL hsYWvu^' 



Jeptha's Daughter 

A Drama in Five Acts 



By 

James Monroe Cromer, D.D. 




BOSTON 

THE GORHAM PRESS 

1916 



Copyright, 1916, by James Monroe Cromer 



All Rights Reserved 



1 &j 



NOV 24 1916 

The Gorham Press, Boston, U. S. 



©OLD 4 5 509 



TO 
HER 

WHOSE 

SIMPLE YOUNG LIFE 

AND CHARACTER WERE MUCH LIKE 

THE HEROINE OF THIS LITTLE BOOK, AND 

TO WHOM THE AUTHOR OWES SO MUCH FOR 

THE MORAL AND SPIRITUAL TREND OF 

HIS LIFE, AND WHO AT THE RIPE 

AGE OF EIGHTY-FIVE YEARS 

STILL LIVES 

"MY MOTHER " 

THIS LITTLE 
BOOK IS DEDICATED 



Digitized by the Internet Archive 
in 2011 with funding from 
The Library of Congress 



http://www.archive.org/details/jepthasdaughterdOOcrom 



PREFACE 

No portion of the Old Testament scrip- 
tures has had more charms for the author 
than this little story in which Jeptha's 
daughter is the heroine. The dramatic form 
in which it appears is intended to make it 
more real and impressive. It also suggests 
possibilities for presenting on the stage, fur- 
nishing ample scope for the very best talent. 
Since the moving picture shows have monop- 
olized the melodramatic, with its sensational 
and agonizing situations of romance and ad- 
venture, there would seem to be place for 
plays of the higher moral and spiritual order 
found in this work. 

But the book is sent forth for the use and 
interest of the common reader, which it is 
hoped its form will the more easily secure. 
Especially should the young be inspired by 
the lofty sentiments and ideals embodied in 
the character of Jeptha's daughter. 

It is with the consciousness that its perusal 
must do good that it is sent forth with the 
prayer that the blessings of the God of 
Jeptha's daughter may attend all who may 
read it. 



CONTENTS 



Act One. — The Estrangement 
Act Two. — The Repentance 
Act Three. — The Vow . . . 
Act Four. — The Sacrifice 
Act Five. — The Year of Jubilee 



13 
26 

43 

58 
85 



JEPTHA'S DAUGHTER 



DRAMATIS PERSONS 

Jeptha's Daughter 

Jeptha 

The Shepherd Captain 

Hazael and Soldiers 

Elders of Gilead 

Jeptha's Brethren 

King of Ammonites 

Ambassadors 

Ephraimite 

Virgins 

Messengers 

Priest 

Chorus 



JEPTHA'S DAUGHTER 

Opening Chorus 
Curtain rises on full chorus and all parts 

O the land of Gilead, 

Land of promise from our God, 
Land of rivers, hills and dales, 

Land by generations trod, 
Come we now to sing of Thee— 
Verdant land beside the sea. 
Fertile vales of Ajalon, 
Bright with nature's golden crown. 

O the land of Gilead, 

Land of sorrow, land of war. 

Elah's vales are red with blood, 
Shed by foes from near and far, 

Burdened by long slavery, 

Gone is all our liberty, 

Hear, O God, our cry to Thee, 

Send some hand to set us free. 
ii 



12 OPENING CHORUS 

Stricken land of Gilead, 

Rent by factions sore and deep, 
Threaten'd by internal strife; 

Thou, O God, Thy vigil keep, 
Heal the broken friendship's ties, 
Stay the tears of pleading eyes, 
Blight the seed of Amnion's hate, 
In Thy hands we yield our fate, Amen. 
Chorus Recedes, Second Curtain Drops, 
Leaving Characters for Act One 
on Stage 



ACT ONE 

The Estrangement 

scene first 

Characters: Jeptha's Daughter and the 
Young Captain 
(Jeptha's Daughter at well with pitcher 
filled with water. Young Captain comes 
with sheep. She veils face. Captain ap- 
proaches, saluting.) 

Captain. 

Thou daughter fair, of Gilead, I 

pray 
Thee, give me drink. 

Jeptha's Daughter. 

The wells our fathers dug 

Are deep, and thou hast nought with 

which to draw. 

(She lifts pitcher, he takes and 

drinks, sheep appear behind 

fence.) 

13 



14 JEPTHA'S DAUGHTER 

Thy flocks are thirsty, too, I'll give 
them drink. 
(She draws water. He prevents.) 

Captain. 

But stay thy hand, kind maid, I'll 
draw for thee. 

Jeptha's Daughter. 

But who art thou whom God has sent 

to show 
This token of good will? 

Captain. 

I'm captain of 
The royal guards who watch against 

the foe, 
And keep my father's flocks in times 
of peace. 

Jeptha's Daughter. 

That wast my father's bodyguard? 

Captain. 

Who is 
Thy father, child? 

Jeptha's Daughter. 

The judge of Gilead. 



ACT ONE 15 

Captain. 

The chief, whose skill and spirit, 

bold, so long 
Defended us against our enemies? 

Jeptha's Daughter. 

Yea, even he, who, banish' d from his 

home, 
Now roams an exile in the land of 

Tob. 

Captain. 

The shame of Gilead, nor shall we 

gain _ 
Our liberties till he return to lead. 

Jeptha's Daughter. 

Thou speakest well, my lord, God 

speed the day 
When he shall be aveng'd of all his 

wrongs, — 

Captain. 

And when by his command our 

armies shall 
Be sent against the foe, and Gilead 
Again be free. 

Jeptha's Daughter. 

May God, Jehovah, grant 
It true, that I my father soon shall 
see. 



1 6 JEPTHA'S DAUGHTER 

Farewell, kind friend, farewell. May 
God thee keep. 
(She turns to go. Captain restrains 
her and offers her token of his 
love.) 

Captain. 

Fair daughter, thou of Israel's seed, 

accept 
This humble gift, — the token of my 
love. 
(He puts bracelet on her arm. 
Kisses her hand.) 
The lustre of thine eye hath pierced 

my heart, 
And open'd up the fountains of my 
soul. 
(She bows and turns to go.) 
Fair maid, thou gift of God, fare- 
well, farewell. 

SECOND SCENE 

(Land of Tob. Hazael, King of Damas- 
cus. Jeptha, Judge of Gilead. Hazael' s 
Band) 

Hazael. 

Ah, by the beard of Moloch, Judah 
land 



ACT ONE 17 

Is glorious. On mountain peaks the 

oaks 
Majestic stand, and verdant fields, 

all fleck' d 
With bleating flocks and lowing 

herds, do make 
Of Bashan such a land that Israel's 

seers 
By right were mov'd by inspiration 

giv'n. 

Jeptha. 

It is the land of promise, which our 

God 
Jehovah gave His bondage seed for 

home 
And worship true. 

Hazael. 

The gift is worthy of 
A god. For age on age has past and 

gone, 
And nations, too, — in pageant grand 

(all bright 
With glory, each its own), in turn 

have fjll'd 
These fertile plains with cities, — 

built by art 
Divine, upon the banks of silv'ry 

streams, — 



1 8 JEPTHA'S DAUGHTER 

And pass'd away, like moving shad- 
ows, to 

Oblivion. All, all has chang'd, ex- 
cept 

Those tow'ring oaks, — the pride of 
Bashan's hills. 

Jeptha. 

Ah yes, Hazael, sparkling Jabbok, 

like 
A jewell'd necklace, set with rarest 

gems, 
Adorns the bosom of these fertile 

plains. 
But only as a phantom does it rise 
Before my eyes, creating little else 
Than admiration. For, my heart, 

so sick 
For Gilead, remains untouch'd by all 
This loveliness. 

Hazael. 

I hope that Jeptha's heart 
Is not so wed to native land that it 
Is blind to all the beauty God has 

giv'n > 
To this His chosen clime. 

But tell what charms 
In Gilead, my lord, that you so cling 
To it. Your kindred, you have said, 
have thrust 



ACT ONE 19 

You from your father's house, and 

you have turn'd 
Your back on Gilead, to seek a home 
Congenial to your finer sense. 

Jeptha. 

My poor 
Old father yet remains, and loves 

me still, 
I'm sure, in spite of all. Sometimes 

my heart 
Reproaches me for leaving him 

among 
Unruly sons. His lot my heart would 

share. 

Hazael. 

Faint hearts condemn themselves. 

Think not of him, 
My Jeptha, for he dealt with you in 

such 
Unkindness, — standing by with no 

concern, 
While you, his son, were robb'd by 

foulest plot 
Of all your patrimony's share, by 

those 
Who spent it all in rioting, and did 
Not lift his hand in your defense. 

And you 



20 JEPTHA'S DAUGHTER 

So fam'd for worth and ev'ry manly 

grace ! 
Jeptha. 

He's old and powerless, Hazael, 

and I 
Am not his lawful son, but child of 

her 
His fav'rite concubine. With her I 

shar'd 
His love, e'en when he took a wife 

and was 
Again a sire. But soon his wife 

look'd on 
My mother and her son with envious 

eyes. 
She taught her sons to hate, who 

sought by arts 
Of all device to wean my father from 
His love for me, and drive me from 

his house. 
(Covers his face in grief.) 
I did not ask their love, and did not 

know 
What sorrow was until my mother 

died, 
And then I suffer'd double hate from 

all. 
(Again covers his head in grief-) 
By manly sports, and in defense 

against 



ACT ONE 21 

Our enemies, I sought to gain their 

love. 
But fame acquired thus inereas'd their 

hate 
Until they caus'd my father, invalid, 
To rob me of my heritage, and drive 
Me from his door. And yet I love 

him still. 
Hazael. 

For shame, dear Jeptha, had you 

not some friend 
To plead your cause? 

Jeptha. 

Nay, none of ample pow'r 
To break the phalanx strong of those 

who stood 
The closest in my father's confidence. 

Hazael. 

Had I been you, I'd call'd the elders 

of 
The town and forc'd your brethren to 

give up 
Your share in the estate. 

Jeptha. 

And that is what 
I did, and which affects me most, for 
they 



22 JEPTHA'S DAUGHTER 

Refus'd and wrought the deeper in- 
jury. 

Though faithful I to them in keep- 
ing off 

Invading tribes, and raising high the 
fame 

Of Gilead, they would not grant my 
rights. 
Hazael. 

And think you not that they were 
purchas'd by 

Your father's gold? 

Jeptha. 

From father so infirm, 
And brothers envious I little hop'd, 
But from my country I did not expect 
Such base ingratitude. So deeply did 
I feel this shaft of enmity, I shook 
The dust from off my feet against 

them all, 
And left them, vowing never to re- 
turn. 

Hazael. 

A brave resolve, my noble Jeptha; 

come 
And think no more of such false 

friends, and turn 
To those who now with open arms 

do wait 



ACT ONE 23 

To welcome you. But trust yourself 
to my 

Advice, and, by old Baal, the coun- 
trymen 

Of Gilead shall rue the day they 
drove 

You from their land. 



Jeptha. 

Be gentle, kind Haza'l, 
It breaks my heart to hear you an- 
swer thus. 
Before I join your band, I must exact 
Agreement that I ne'er be ask'd to 

slay 
My countrymen. Against the wily 

foes 
Of Canaanites and Ammonites I'll 

go 
With all my strength, but not the 

people of 
My native land. Altho' they've sorely 

hurt 
And injur'd me, I'll never lift my 

arm 
To do them harm. I'm yours, if you 

accept 
Me thus. I cannot turn against my 

own. 



24 JEPTHA'S DAUGHTER 

Hazael. 

Your wishes I shall surely heed. We 
are 

Too proud to have the noble Jeptha 
in 

Our ranks to fail in anything he may 

Demand. But follow me, kind sir, 
our friends 

Are waiting in the cave below the hill, 

And you shall find a welcome suited to 

Your worth, and scope for all your 
bravery. 
{Jeptha shudders at the thought of 
joining an alien hand, and hesi- 
tates. ) 

I read your inner strife. But we are 
not 

A horde of bandits, bent on robbery. 

Like you, we're men of rank who've 
felt rebuff 

From this cold world and have with- 
drawn to pass 

Our time in deeds of arms and rev- 
elry. 

For I'm related to the princess proud 

Of Napthali, and am reluctant as 

Yourself to sully my good name by 
deeds 

Of rapine and of violence. Come on, 



ACT ONE 25 

My Jeptha, friend, to our retreat, 

and learn 
The fellowship of royal noblemen. 

{They reach the cave and are re- 
ceived with shouts.) 

Soldiers (Hazael's Band). 

Huzza, huzza, our king and Jeptha, 

judge 
Of Gilead! Huzza! Let all the 

gods 
Of Ashteroth rejoice. Huzza, huzza. 

Hazael. 

Now enter, lordly Jeptha, and enjoy 
The true abode of happiness. Forget 
Th' ungrateful land you left behind 

and let 
Your soul find peace and joy among 

our band 
Of ardent patriots. Huzza ! huzza ! 

(All join in huzzas as curtain 
falls.) 



ACT TWO 

The Repentance 

{Characters: Hazael, Jeptha, Elders, — 
Jeptha's Brethren.) 

{They prepare a feast. Jeptha 
looks sadly out of the cave. 
Hazael notices it.) 

Hazael. 

What thinkest thou of thy new friends 

and their 
Attempt to welcome thee? Their 
friendship's true. 
{Jeptha only looks sad. No an- 
swer.) 
Art tir'd so soon of banqueting? The 

lord 
Of Canaan was an expert judge of 

wine. 
His season'd wares are good as Hel- 
bon's brand. 
{Pauses. Jeptha still downcast. 
Hazael continues pouring wine.) 
26 



ACT TWO 27 

Why thus so sad, my captain brave? 

Dost think 
Of Gilead? and pine for those best 

known 
For treachery? Your gloom is 

worthy of 
A nobler cause than unrequited love. 

Jeptha. 

Hazael, all the years I've spent in 

true 
Devotion to my native land arise 
Before my mind and dull my sense of 

due 
Appreciation, and I think of home. 

Hazael. 

Thou hast no home ! Exoatriated 

by 
The envy of unworthy kin, and those 
Who rivall'd thee for honors on the 

field, 
Thou wert an exile in a foreign land. 

Jeptha. 

'Tis true, but still the blood of loyalty 
Cannot so quickly cool. My heart 

still warms 
For those with whom my youthful 

days were spent. 



28 JEPTHA'S DAUGHTER 

Hazael. 

No obligation known to human code 
Can hold against the deeds of traitor 
hands. 

Jeptha. 

And thus I've tried to wean my heart 
away 

From childhood's bonds. But some- 
thing deep within 

Reproaches me for haste in breaking 
off 

A life-long fellowship, refusing to 

Defend my native land against the 
sword 

Of heartless enemies. I would re- 
turn 

And lead my people out against the 
foe. 
(Hazael sets down the cup out of 
which he had been pouring wine, 
and frowns at Jeptha.) 

Hazael. 

Ingratitude, it seems, is common trait 
In Gilead. When robb'd and driven 

from 
Thy childhood home, I took thee with 

the heart 
And ardor of a friend, and gave thee 

place 



ACT TWO 29 

Of confidence, in captaincy of all 
My troops, and thou without return 

hast spurn'd 
It all. Hast thou at all considered 

this? 

Jeptha. 

Do not so hotly speak to one so sad. 

I've not resolv'd to go. My con- 
science, soft, 

Has kept reproaching me. It whis- 
pers in 

My heart the truth long learn'd, — 
For evil, good 

To give. And should I listen to its 
voice, 

I know that God would give me vic- 
tory 

Against the foes who dare to waste 
our land. 

Hazael. 

Believe me, Jeptha, no such jeopardy 
Confronts your native land. Your 

kindred have 
Devis'd a plot to lure you to their 

camp 
To take your life. Their coward 

souls, afire 
With hate, lose all repose while 

Jeptha lives. 



30 JEPTHA'S DAUGHTER 

Jeptha. 

It may be so. A tender conscience 

oft 
May play one false and lead where 

judgment would 
Refuse to go. I'll banish these re- 
grets, 
Renew my vows of loyalty to thee, 
My friend, and try to compensate 

for all 
The kindness lavish'd on my humble 
self. 
{Jeptha looks out and speaks ex- 
citedly.) 
Behold, Haza'l, what kind of men are 

those 
Who come through yonder plain? 
(Hazael turns and looks.) 
Hazael. 

A company 
Is heading tow'rd the tower, — they've 
pass'd the lake. 
(Pauses, — both looking.) 
And now they near the summit of the 
hill. 
(Jeptha recognizes, turns sadly, 
covers with mantle.) 
Hazael. 

I now can see. The rulers come from 
out 



ACT TWO 31 

Of Gilead, bedeck'd in purple robes ! 
What brings them here? Their city 

must be set 
Upon by enemies. 

{Turning to Jeptha.) 

They're seeking aid 
From thee they so despis'd! What 
quick remorse ! 
{Jeptha assumes form of pray'r.) 
Jeptha. 

O God, my fathers, and my native 
land! 
{Both look again.) 
Hazael. 

But see, the elders, too, in camel 

train 
And stately equipage, do follow them ! 
Some pending doom must threaten 

Gilead 
To drive these men, so frail with age, 

from home 
On such a dang'rous task. Does 
Jeptha see? 
{Jeptha now recognizes his wicked 
brethren.) 
Jeptha. 

They are my wicked brethren, come 

to call 
Me back to lead their troops. The 
Dastard Souls ! ! 



32 JEPTHA'S DAUGHTER 

How dare they face the man on whom 

they dealt 
Such injury? Perfidious treachery ! ! 
(Jeptha proudly stands with 

Hazael. Company approaches, 

saluting. Elder speaks.) 
Elder. 

My noble Jeptha, since you heeded 

not 
Our messengers, we've come ourselves 

to seek 
Your aid against the Ammonites, who 

press 
Us sore, and dare to take our land 

and make 
Us slaves. These elders of your city, 

here, 
And these, your father's sons, have 

ventur'd all 
This pilgrimage to gain your royal 

aid. 
Jeptha. 

For men of such ripe years, your 

minds have chang'd 
With sudden haste. How short the 

time since ye 
Did drive me from your doors, and 

now ye come 
To win me back! My heart resents 

your plea. 



ACT TWO 33 

Elder. 

Our need indeed is great, and though 

we were 
Too proud to follow Jeptha then, our 

God 
Has scourg'd us sore, and made us 

penitent. 

Jeptha. 

It was my pleasure, once, and highest 
joy 

To serve you all, defending native 
land. 

But you were jealous of my pow'r, 
and drove 

Me hence, and now in your distress 
you pray 

Me to return. Such motive I dis- 
dain. 

Elder. 

But see our need. Do not our suit 

deny. 
Reject us not. Our armies call you 

to 
Their head in full command. No man 

in all 
Our ranks can lead them to success. 

Your name, 
Resounding at our walls, would rally 

all, 



34 JEPTHA'S DAUGHTER 

And terror strike to all our foes, and 

make 
Old Gilead free. Such honor comes 
to few. 
Jeptha. 

Of this you should have thought be- 
fore, but now, — 
{Jeptha turns from them with re- 
fusing gesture.) 
Elder. 

Turn not away. Wouldst thou be- 
hold thy home 
Laid waste by enemies, thy country- 
men 
Made slaves, and lovely Gil'ad be no 
more? 
{Jeptha, in much anger.) 
Jeptha. 

What home, what countrymen and kin 
have I? 
{Brothers advance, offering sword 
and gold.) 
Elder. 

Behold thy brethren here, repentant 

deep 
For all their wrongs, who yield their 

gold, — their all, 
And offer thee their sword, insignia 
Of pow'r! Thy frozen heart must 
surely melt. 



ACT TWO 35 

{Jeptha turns away, motioning 
them back.) 
Jeptha. 

Nay, nay, do not allow them here, — 
these men 

Who sought my life, disowning me, 
and robb'd 

Me of my heritage. I cannot see 

Their face. Humiliation and re- 
proach 

And perfidy for years, would bar my 
heart 

Against their plea. Let them at once 
be gone. 
{Silence. Young men hesitate. Jep- 
tha assumes attitude of pray'r. 
Young men turn pleadingly.) 

And yet as worshipper of God, the 
Just, 

Who taught me to forgive, I hesitate. 
( Young men advance, bow to wel- 
come Jeptha.) 

I would not add the greater crime of 
death 

And bondage to my countrymen. 
Two wrongs 

Do not make right. I cannot square 
accounts 

By doing greater wrong. My heart 
relents. 



36 JEPTHA'S DAUGHTER 

(Young men renew offer of gold.) 
But not your gold, nor sword have 

chang'd my mind. 
I honor God, who rules my heart, and 

put 
This kindness there, and taught me to 

forgive. 
(Jeptha hesitates, then speaks.) 
Young men, return, I now forgive. 

Ye are 
My father's sons. But stay not here 

if ye 
Wish Gil'ad well. Withdraw to yon- 
der cave 
Among my friends, and, too, be on 

your guard. 
(Jeptha waves them away.) 

Elder. 

You do not mean our friendship to 

betray? 
We thought your heart of nobler cast 

than thus 
To harbor base revenge, appearing to 
Be kind. You then reject our plea, 

and send 
Us to be slaves as our reward for 

all 
Our penitence and deep humility? 



ACT TWO 37 

Jeptha. 

My heart divides between myself and 
thee. 
(Hazael frowns at Jeptha.) 

Elder. 

If home and native land, and father 

bow'd 
With years, do not affect, perhaps 

thou wilt 
Remember her, thy daughter, fair and 

young, 
And come to our relief that she may 

live? 

Jeptha. 

Dear child! My heart has been so 

flooded with 
Unusual care, that I'd forgotten her. 

{Yields to grief.) 
My fathers, do not charge me with 

revenge. 
My only wish has been to honor God. 
Forgive me that I've griev'd you thus. 

But you 
Know not the suffering my exile cost. 

{Hesitates.) 
I'll go to rescue her, my sweet young 
child. 
{Hazael steps between them, 
frowning, and speaks.) 



38 JEPTHA'S DAUGHTER 

Hazael. 

My friends, your time is wasted in 

vain words. 
All ties between the noble Jeptha and 
Yourselves are broken off by your 

own deeds 
Alone. Ye sent him, empty-handed, — 

yea, 
And broken-hearted from your walls. 

I took 
Him in, and fed and clotlh'd and 

cheer'd him in 
His lonely time of need. He cannot 

thus 
So lightly treat his new found friend, 

for you. 
{Hazael turns toward Jeptha, ex- 
pecting him to speak. Hazael 

continues.) 
Yea more, I brought him here that 

he might reap 
Such fame and riches, as he well 

deserves, 
From off the land of enemies, and 

think 
Ye not that he is lost to honor in 
Such low degree, that he'll abandon 

me, 
His trusted friend, to be devour'd 

by those 



ACT TWO 39 

Wild Canaanites; or what is worse, 
to be 

Betray'd, at last, by those disowning 
him, 

Who thought to end his life by ban- 
ishment. 
(Hazael turns and appeals to 
Jeptha.) 

Come, Jeptha, speak! ye cannot well 
betray 

Nor leave a friend, to you, so tried 
and true ? 

Jeptha. 

'Tis true as he has said. When I 

was driv'n 
From home, to beg, and 'lone to roam 

in lands 
Unknown, he shelter'd me, and sav'd 

my life. 
I honor him, — ye must return alone. 
{Elders prostrate themselves.) 

Elder. 

Nay, nay, good Jeptha, heed our 

earnest pray'r 
And save thy fatherland, and save thy 

child. 
Do not refuse our plea. Thy country 

calls. 
(Jeptha meditates, faces Elders.) 



40 JEPTHA'S DAUGHTER 

Jeptha. 

Arise, my lords, I cannot bear the 

sight 
Of these old men, of whom, since 

childhood, I 
Have thought as gods, upon their 

knees, their robes 
Begrim'd in dust, their beards all wet 

with tears, — 
Their trembling hands uplift in pray'r 

to me 
As god, and asking aid. My heart 

relents. 
{Jeptha stoops to lift them up.) 
Come now, my lords, arise, dishonor 

not 
Yourselves to kneel to me. I'll go ! 

I'm yours. 
Receive me as your son, and I will go 
With you to death to save my native 

land! 
{Elders embrace Jeptha. Turning 

to Hazael Jeptha says.) 
Farewell, Hazael, I cannot longer 

stay. 

Hazael. 

Thou base ingrate, and willing tool, 
Farewell. 



ACT TWO 41 

Jeptha. 

Speak not such words, thou son of 

Naphtali. 
For known thou art, as bandit now, 

in spite 
Of thy disguise. What dost thou 

here, when wai- 
ls wag'd 'gainst Israel? And thou 

the son 
Of the great house of Issachar ! And 

ye 
{Turning to Hazael's men.) 
The noble youth of chosen seed, I 

beg 
You follow me, before it be too late 
To save our fatherland from cruel 

war. 
I show an honor'd way in which your 

steps 
You may retrace, — retrieve your for- 
tunes gone, 
And goodly name, and worthy be to 

join 
Your lofty race. We promise you 

high place 
In war, — our patronage, — protection 

too. 
(Young men talk excitedly-) 
Yea, come, and let us war no more 

against 



42 JEPTHA'S DAUGHTER 

Our God, and Gilead. And thou, 

Haza'l, 
Give up thy bandit life, and join with 

these 
In righteous war, to save God's 

chosen seed. 
(Hazael has gradually changed 

expression, from frowning to 

favor.) 
Hazael. 

It seems that God Himself doth 

speak. I've oft 
Deplor'd my hapless life, and felt a 

deep 
Remorse in turning from the law of 

God 
And joining hands with lawless hordes 

to vex 
God's chosen seed. The way seems 

plain. I go 
With these who give their lives to 

save God's own. 
{One of Hazael' s men speaks.) 

Soldier. 

We join thee, noble sire. We too 
repent. 



ACT THREE 

The Vow 

(Scene, Mizpah. Chorus Behind Second 
Curtain. Captain and Jeptha's Daughter, 
Elder and Jeptha) 
(Captain Same as Shepherd in First Act) 

scene first 

Captain. 

The gods have turn'd from Gilead. 

The clouds 
Of war have frighten'd all to arms. 

The flocks 
Are left to roam at will. Deserted 

are 
The fields. 'Tis vintage time, but 

none are found 
To press the grapes. To flee, or face 

the foe, 
Has fill'd the minds of all. Impend- 
ing doom 
Has come o'er all the land. Our 

armies too, 
43 



44 JEPTHA'S DAUGHTER 

Without a head, will fall an easy 

prey. 
Jeptha's Daughter. 

Say not "the gods," kind sir. Jehovah 

reigns 
O'er all. He shall our armies lead. 

Besides 
The elders and my father's kin have 

gone 
To call him home, that he may have 

command 
Against the foe. 

Captain. 

Thy father to return! 
Can he forgive, and trust himself to 

those 
Whose envy drove him hence? Were 

he to come, 
'Twould fill all hearts with hope. For 

such display 
Of loyal zeal as his return would 

shame 
Us all to make a living sacrifice. 

Jeptha's Daughter. 

My father's heart beats true with 

loyalty 
To God and Gilead. He'll ne'er for- 
sake 



ACT THREE 45 

His own, — his home, — his God, — his 
child, — his all. 

Captain. 

I read the virtues of thine honored 

sire 
In noble lines upon thy charming 

face, 
Reflected by a common love for God 
And home and right. 
(She veils her face.) 

Jeptha's Daughter. 

Unworthy I of such 
High praise. A simple child of God, 

I would 
His will be done. My father taught 
me so. 

Captain. 

From childhood have I nurtur'd 

sacred thoughts 
Of thee, and know of thy true life. 

But not 
Until I met thee with my sheep had I 
The chance to tell thee of my love. 

Dost thou 
Remember when I saw thee first? and 

gave 
Thee token of the same? I would 

increase 



46 JEPTHA'S DAUGHTER 

The meaning many fold, — I love thee 
still. 

(Noise, blowing of trumpets. 
Cheering. Elders, etc., approach 
with Jeptha. Jeptha' s Daughter 
turns to the Captain in fear, 
and they go to opposite side of 
stage. The curtain rises on the 
full chorus and they begin to 
sing. As Jeptha approaches his 
daughter runs and throws her 
arms around his neck. They go 
to center of stage.) 

WELCOME CHORUS 

King of Gilead, Hail all Hail, 
Let the loudest shouts prevail. 
Welcome to your native land. 
May your name forever stand 
Proud among the sons of God 

In the land your fathers trod. 

Welcome, Jeptha, welcome. 

Foes await your trusted steel, — 
Threaten now your country's weal. 
Prove again your valor brave 
And your land and country save. 
Strike against the rising foe, 



ACT THREE 47 

Deal a mighty, deadly blow. 
Welcome, Jeptha, welcome. 

Honor waits the hero bold 
Keeping us from bondage sold, 
Making all our country free, 
Granting all their liberty. 
God will give you victory, — 
God will set old Gilead free. 
Welcome, Jeptha, welcome. 

{An elder approaches and speaks.) 
Elder. 

All hail our royal chief. Enter the 

tent 
Of captain of our host, and may the 

God 
Of Israel give victory against 
The Ammonites, and save our land. 
All Hail. 
{Jeptha pauses at the tent door. 
Turning toward them, speaks.) 
Jeptha. 

Ye elders, men of Gilead, I thank 
You for your welcome true. No 

patriot 
Could longer steel his heart against 

your plea. 
Though driven from your midst in 
cruelty, 



48 JEPTHA'S DAUGHTER 

My home-sick heart forgets the past 

and brings 
Me back to serve you in your time 
of need. 

When home and native land in peril 
lie, 

Then wrongs must be o'erlook'd, and 
all must vie 

To show their loyalty. Besides, re- 
venge 

But kills the finer sense of man's true 
self, 

And spoils the image made of God. 
The post 

Of captain o'er your troops you've 
promis'd me. 

But how know I, when I return from 
war, 

That I shall not be treated as be- 
fore? — 

Thrust out and banish'd from my 
home and friends 

Again? Ere I consent to lead in war 

To battle for our cause, ye must 
agree 

To these two things, — that while I 
rule in war 

I must be ruler, too, in peace. If now 

Ye make me judge of Gilead, I'll 
take 



ACT THREE 49 

Command of all your troops; if not, 

I must 
Return to make my home in alien 

lands. 

Elder. 

Such sense of justice do you show that 

we 
Most willingly agree to all that you 
Demand. For all we know of Jep- 

tha's skill 
And his superior pow'r o'er all the 

men 
Of Gilead, we'll gladly make thee 

judge, 
And do our utmost to repair our 

wrong. 

Jeptha. 

Then let an altar be upbuilt that 
will 

Commemorate your vow, that peo- 
ple all 

O'er Gilead may witness our compact, 

And by its silent presence here con- 
firm 

Your pledge, and me, in both these 
offices. 

Elder. 

An altar shall be built within the 
midst 



5 o JEPTHA'S DAUGHTER 

Of Mizpah's gates, memorial of this 

day, 
And there before assembled armies 

drawn 
In dress array, and 'fore the Lord 

our God, 
We will install thee judge and captain 

o'er 
All Gilead, — at home and in the field. 

All. 

We will, amen, so let it be, we will. 
(Jeptha assumes attitude of 
prayer.) 

Jeptha. 

The Lord our witness be to this pro- 
found 
And sacred rite according to thy 
words. 
(Priest steps forward with out- 
stretched hands and prays.) 

Priest. 

O God, thy blessing now we crave 

upon 
Our chosen Head. Grant wisdom, 

pow'r and skill 
From out thy dwelling-place, that all 

our foes 
May be o'erthrown, and Gilead be 

sav'd. 



ACT THREE 51 

Jeptha. 

With God and people on our side we 

shall 
Prevail. We'll not await attack, but 

move 
At once against the Ammonites. 
(Addressing the young Captain.) 

Command 
"Attention," and prepare the ranks 

to meet 
Me at the sharp defile, — the gorge 

between 
Yon mountain peaks, where now I 

see the spears 
And glitt'ring chariots and banners 

of 
The enemy. Prepare for march at 

once. 
(Great stir among the soldiers.) 
But first, choose men of rank, am- 
bassadors, 
To go and counsel with our foes, — 

learn their 
Demands, and what their grievance 

be, for we 
Must war as civil men, as God has 

taught. 



52 JEPTHA'S DAUGHTER 

SCENE TWO 

{In Amnion's Camp.) 

{Ambassadors and King Ammon.) 

Ambassadors. 

O king, the captain Jeptha, ruler of 
Our land, to thee, the king of Am- 
nion's sons, 
A message sends, and asks why thou 

hast come 
To fight against his land. What evil 

has 
He done? — what inj'ry wrought? 

He will repay 
If still within his pow'r. For he does 

not 
Desire to stain his hands with blood, 

if terms 
Of honor may be nam'd by thee for 

peace. 
King. 

Go tell your leader that we come to 

claim 
Those lands that Isra'l took by force 

when out 
Of Egypt's land they came, — without 

due right. 



ACT THREE 53 

Ambassadors. 

What lands, my lord O king, would 
you reclaim? 

King. 

The richest part of my inheritance 
Was wrested from our kings by 

force, — the tract 
Three rivers bound, — the silv'ry Jab- 

bok and 
Sweet Arnon, and the muddy Jordan 

stream. 
Restore these lands and peaceably 

I'll go. 
If ye refuse, they shall be mine by 

force. 

Ambassadors. 

Thus saith great Jeptha, O thou 

king, — These lands 
Our people did not take from thee, 

but from 
King Sihon, — he who rul'd the Amo- 

rites. 
A passage he denied when Israel 
Came out of Egypt's slavery. The 

king 
Of Edom, and of Moab, too, would 

not 
Allow God's chosen ones to cross 

their land. 



54 JEPTHA'S DAUGHTER 

We then were forc'd to march 

around, which caus'd 
Us sore delay. And when we 

reach'd the banks 
Of Arnon, when again we would cut 

short 
Our course, again we were denied. 

They sent 
Their armies out to drive us hence. 

We gave 
Them fight, determin'd in our course, 

and God 
Was pleas'd to give to Isra'l owner- 
ship. 

King. 

I do not recognize your claims on 

such 
A plea, and will at once resort to 

arms. 

Ambassadors. 

Wouldst thou then take from us the 
land receiv'd 

From God as spoils of war? Take 
what thy god, 

Chemosh, hath given thee. The for- 
mer king, 

Zippor, did never try to gain these 
lands. 



King. 



ACT THREE $5 

Three hundred years God's people, 

Israel, 
Possession held, and ye do wrong to 

claim 
Them now, and force your claim by 

war. The Lord 
Jehovah judge between thy claims 

and ours. 

Then let your God go forth to war, 

fori 
Refuse to yield your claim. The right 

shall win. 

SCENE THREE 



(In Mizpah. Ambassadors and Jeptha and 

Captain) 
Ambassadors. 

My lord, we did as thou didst say. 

The king 
Of Ammon will not yield, and we 

must turn 
To war that God, our Guide, may 
prove our cause. 
Jeptha. 

Command the chariots to make haste, 

and all 
The camels, horse and elephants 
bring forth. 



56 JEPTHA'S DAUGHTER 

We'll swallow up the ground with 

fiercest rage, 
And with the quiver, spear and sword 

assail 
With all our might, and lay proud 

Ammon low. 

(Great stir among the soldiers. 
Jeptha turns aside to pray.) 

Jehovah, God, if Thou wilt give us 

help, 
And victory, this solemn vow I'll 

make, — 
Whate'er shall first come forth to 

meet us, from 
My house, when we return, I'll give 

to Thee 
In holy sacrifice, — my offering. 

( The soldiers are in line. Bow 
for pray'r.) 

Priest. 

Thou God of battles, hear our cry. 

To war 
Our armies go. Attend them all in 

camp 
And field, and may the right prevail, 

that Thou 
May'st have a name in Israel, thine 

own 



ACT THREE 57 

Peculiar race, that all the world may 

know 
That Thou alone art God, our great 

High Priest. 

(Curtain) 



ACT FOUR 

THE SACRIFICE 

(J eptha Returns from Victory. The Chorus 
Welcomes} 

Characters: J eptha, J eptha' s Daughter, 
Elders, Captain 

Hail to our victor, Jeptha, 

With blood and splendor crown'd 
Returning from the battle, 

Let praise to thee resound. 
Blow loud the clarion trumpet, 

Behold our loyal chief. 
He lifts his crest in triumph, 

And breathes a sweet relief. 

Hail to our victor, Jeptha, 
Who trod old Ammon down. 

Swing wide the gates of Mizpah, 
Proclaim his glad renown. 

Lead on thy conquering armies 
Who trod the field of blood, 
58 



ACT FOUR 59 

And let them share our welcome, 
Sav'd from the battle's flood. 

Hail to our victor, Jeptha. 

Our altars now we'll build 
To God, the great Jehovah, 

His temples will be fill'd. 
We'll break our heathen idols, 

And his dear name restore, 
For he hath crown'd our armies. 

We'll praise him evermore. 

Amen. 

{During the singing the company 
looks tow'rd Jeptha and the 
soldiers. Jeptha' s daughter leads 
as they advance. The Captain 
is in the lead of the procession. 
As he approaches he recognizes 
her and bows, and she returns 
the salute. On coming to a stop 
he draws near her side, and tak- 
ing her hand kisses it. They 
have a few words whisper' d con- 
versation, when an elder breaks 
the silence. 

It must also be manifest that Jep- 
tha has seen and recogniz'd his 
daughter. 

During the singing of this song 



60 JEPTHA'S DAUGHTER 

there is splendid opportunity to 

introduce fancy drills, which 

may he prolonged as a part of 

Jeptha' s welcome.) 
Elder. 

Hail, citizens of Gilead! Behold 
Our hero comes, the victor over all 
Our enemies, and Gilead is sav'd!!! 

(Jeptha hangs his head.) 
Behold him in his car of gold, and by 
His side his steel clad warriors. His 

robe 
Of blue, embroider'd rich with gold, 

and bound 
By girdle broad of golden mail. His 

sword 
Is hung by silver chains, and on his 

feet 
Are shoes of brass. A scarlet man- 
tle from 
His shoulders falls, and 'round his 

head a band 
Of steel, adorn'd by golden horn, All 

hail. 
(Jeptha seems sad.) 
Jeptha. 

I'm dazed by all this welcome giv'n. 

Tis God 
Who gave us victory. To Him our 

praise 



ACT FOUR 6 1 

Belongs. Our enemies are over- 
thrown. 
(Bows in sadness.) 
(His daughter and the Captain ap- 
proach.) 

But now my heart is bow'd with grief, 
fori 

Did vow, in victory, I'd give to God 

In sacrifice, the first that came forth 
from 

My door. And as I saw this youth- 
ful train, 

My daughter led them all, — my only 
child. 
(Covers head with grief. Uncov- 
ers and speaks. His daughter 
draws a little nearer. The Cap- 
tain accompanies.) 

God, My Lord, Thou know'st my 

vow. Was it 
Thy will that caused my daughter first 

to come? 

To greet my safe return? She was 

the first 

1 saw, and hence must be my sacrifice. 

(He hows his head. His daugh- 
ter goes to him. He lifts his 
head and speaks, as she slowly 
approaches.) 



62 JEPTHA'S DAUGHTER 

Behold my child, who holds the tim- 
brel high 
O'erhead, — attir'd in robe of divers 

hues, 
In feather-work, and silk of many 

dyes, — 
A wreath of roses 'round her head, 

her feet 
In scarlet sandals shod, and face 

aglow 
With smiles in honor of my victory. 
Poor child, she knows not of her 

pending doom. 
{He yields to grief. She does not 

understand and tries to comfort 

him.) 
Daughter. 

My father! Gladly do I welcome 

thee. 
What honors thou hast won ! ! May 

God be prais'd! 
Jeptha. 

Alas, my daughter, dear, how little 

dost 
Thou know the sadness of this hour, 

— alas. 
Daughter. 

Dear father, why dost thou so grieve? 

Behold 
The daughters fair of Gilead, all clad 



ACT FOUR 63 

In white, with chaplet wreaths, and 

silver bells 
Upon their ankles, who in mazy whirl 
Of joy surround you here, to render 

you 
Due praise for honors won on battle- 
field, 
By which our country now is free and 

sav'd. 
Captain. 

Most valiant judge, the vict'ry of 

this hour 
Enrolls you 'mong the great of earth. 

Rejoice. 
Jeptha. 

Thou meanest well, kind sir, but 

knowest not. 
My daughter, dear, has brought me 

low, e'en to 
The dust of ashes. — God forgive, — 

My child, 
Forgive. I cannot bear the thought. 

Would God 
I had not made the vow to sacrifice. 

Daughter. 

What vow, O father, didst thou 

make to turn 
This hour of great rejoicing into 

gloom? 



64 JEPTHA'S DAUGHTER 

Teptha. . • , 

'Tis true our land is free, but, oh, 

at what 
A priceless cost 1 May God now give 
me strength. 

Daughter. , 

Unburden all your heart. You ve 

sav'd our land. 
The people all will come to your re- 
lief. 
Captain. 

All Gilead is at your feet, and waits 
Command for aught thy heart de- 
sires. But speak. 

Tfptha 

My heart, already fill'd with grati- 
tude, 

Could ask no more. The people have 
repaid. 

No help can come. I'm born to sor- 
row's lot. 

From childhood until now I've borne 
a load . . 

Of grief. But only now my fainting 

soul a o 

Has fail'd to serve my need. U 

God! my grief! 
Daughter. , 

But speak, dear father, and thy word 
shall be 



ACT FOUR 65 

As law to all thy countrymen, — and 
me. 
Jeptha. 

The words would choke my speech, 
and none can help. 

Daughter. 

Our lives are in thy hands, we'll suc- 
cor thee ! 
Jeptha. 

Your words fulfil my vow's demand, 
dear child. 
{Jeptha weeps silently.) 
Thy heart, so brave, relieves the load 

I feel 
In telling thee the cause of my com- 
plaint. 

{Jeptha again weeps.) 
Before I went to war, I made a vow 
To God, that if He gave me victory 
I'd sacrifice the first that came to 

greet 
Me from my door, and thou, dear 
child, wert first. 
{Jeptha yields to grief.) 

Daughter. 

My father, dear, if thou hast spoken 

to 
Thy God in solemn vow, do unto me 
As thou didst pledge. 



66 JEPTHA'S DAUGHTER 

(She puts much feeling into her 
speech.) 

Our God hath done His part, 

And made thee conqueror o'er all thy 
foes, 

And set our country free. The Am- 
monites 

Have fallen by thy sword, and if our 
God . 

Hath chosen me the price of vic- 
tory, 

His will be done. 

(With much emotion.) 

I freely yield mylife. 

In such a death there is no bitter- 
ness. 
(Jeptha almost collapses. Elders 
rush to support him. They help 
him from his car. He throws 
himself on the floor in grief. 
His daughter goes to speak to 
him. Then she speaks.) 

Dear father, rise, be comforted. We 
have 

But one lone life to live. Those live 
it best 

Who give the most to God. He gave 
us all, 

And soon, at best, we all must yield 
to death. 



ACT FOUR 67 

What matters whether few or more 
the days 

We spend in weary pilgrimage? Our 
lives 

Are measur'd, not by years, but by 
our deeds. 

And if my life must be the price of 
peace 

And happiness for Gilead, I count 

It honor far beyond desert to yield. 
(She falls on the floor beside her 

father. 
Elders have been whispering ex- 
citedly.) 

Elder No. i. 

What measure best to be pursu'd in 

this 
So sad emergency? This sorrow 

palls 
Our hearts, and robs our victory of 

all 
Its joy. For Jeptha now to offer up 
His precious child to God in sacrifice, 
Is worthy only of idolatry. 
Our God does not require such rec- 
ompense. 
It is a crime, detestable to us, 
Impossible. We must not yield to 
rites 



68 JEPTHA'S DAUGHTER 

Of heathen origin. We must protest. 

Elder No. 2. 

And yet he made a solemn vow to 
God, 

And this may be the silent cause of 
his 

Great victory. How can he now re- 
fuse 

To do his part? What evils might 
not God 

Inflict on him and us, if he refuse? 

Elder No. i. 

We find ourselves in deep perplexity. 
No time before in all our history 
Has Gilead been rous'd to such a 

pitch 
Of joy. So many years have we been 

sack'd 
And pillag'd by our enemies, that 

now, 
Since Jeptha has deliver'd us, o'er all 
Our land the people now are wild 

with glee. 
We dare not plunge them into grief 

so soon. 
Besides, brave Jeptha should not suf- 
fer thus. 
He's mingled with strange gods. His 

vow can have 



ACT FOUR 69 

No place in Moses' law. Nor should 
his child 

Be slaughter'd like a lamb in inno- 
cence. 

Elder No. 3. 

Then let us take our case before the 
priests 

Of Shiloh, at the tabernacles' shrine, 

And seek advice from those who 
know the law, — 

The import of a vow, — who will re- 
ply. 

Elder No. i. 

To this let all agree, and send at once 

A council of our own to make our 

plea. 

{While the elders get ready to go 

the chorus sings. The Captain 

and Jeptha's daughter whisper.) 

O daughter fair of Gilead 
Thy sisters weep for thee. 

Our nation mourns thy sore distress 
And pleads to God for help. 

O elders press your solemn plea 

Upon the holy priests, 
That they may learn from God a way 

To overcome our grief. 



7 o JEPTHA'S DAUGHTER 

We trust in God, who by His will 

May give us some relief, 
That Jeptha and his daughter too 
May live to share our peace. 

(Curtain.) 



SCENE TWO. 

Characters: Elders, Priest, Captain, Jeptha, 
Jeptha 's daughter, Virgins, Chorus. 

(Elders return. 
All on platform as before. 
Messengers rush on stage with 
message from the priests-) 

Elder No. i. 

O Jeptha, hear the answer of the 

great 

High priest of Israel. Our messen- 
gers 

Have come with gladsome news for 
you and all. 

Thy daughter lives ! 

(Applause which elder restrains.) 
Thy vow was made unlike 

A worshipper of the true God. For 
such 



ACT FOUR 71 

A vow does He abominate. Our law- 
Forbids her death. 
{Another attempt to applaud.) 

She may be purchased for 
A price. Ten shekels do the priests 

demand. 
This sum, and more, we're ready to 

allow. 
{About to rejoice when another 

messenger rushes on the stage, 

speaking.) 

Priest's Messenger. 

In greatest haste I come from our 

High Priest. 
He says that he has found another 

law, 
In which, 'tis said, "That which is 

giv'n to God 
In solemn vow, remains forever His." 

{All manifest great interest.) 
So Jeptha's child to Shiloh must be 

sent 
To serve within the holy place 

through all 
Her life, preserving her virginity. 
Shut in from all the world, no more 

to man 
Does she belong. She's holy to the 

Lord. 



72 JEPTHA'S DAUGHTER 

(Some would applaud. The Cap- 
tain weeps. The father still is 
sad.) 

Jeptha. 

My countrymen, you seem to be re- 
lieved 

By this decree. To me, my daugh- 
ter's lost 

As if by death, forever lost. And 
worse, 

She's doom'd to serve in loneliness, 
and be 

Depriv'd of ev'ry Jewish woman's 
hope 

Of being mother of Messiah, King. 

The comfort of my waning years is 
gone. 

Captain. 

Alas that her fair life must thus be 
doom'd. 

Jeptha. 

Yea, she, my precious child, had 

wrought upon 
Her soul, by consecration all sincere, 
And deepest love for me, to give her 

life 
A sacrifice to God, for peace to home 
And native land, in honor of my vow, 



ACT FOUR 73 

For heavVs reward, — a crown of 
light and life. 

(Mourns.) 
But now her lonely life, secluded from 
The world, will bring to her young 

heart a chill 
As from the tomb. 'Twill be a living 

death. 

Daughter. 

Dear father, cheer thee now, I'm 

sav'd from death. 
My life, devoted to our God, and for 
My country's sake, must be a happy 

one. 
For God will not excessively afflict 
His child with self-denial so extreme. 
And for your own dear sake, I freely 

yield. 

Jeptha. 

My child, what noble spirit fills thy 
breast! 

Daughter. 

In doing this, I do no more than you 
And all my countrymen have done, 

who took 
Their lives in hand, and went forth 

into war. 
Record my name with those who died 

upon 



74 JEPTHA'S DAUGHTER 

The field, and value more your lib- 
erty. 
(Jeptha embraces her. Then she 
turns from him.) 
Captain. 

My life has been preserv'd in war, 

but now 
I give the greater price, — my heart's 
true love. 
Daughter. 

The love we owe our God surpasses 
all. 
Captain. 

'Tis true, but human love does not 

conflict 
With love divine. The holy order of 
God's laws provides for both. His 
will be done. 
Daughter. 

Yea, noble captain, oft the times I'll 

think 
Of thee. What yet may be, God only 
knows. 
Jeptha. 

Would God that He would give me 
back my child. 
Daughter. 

Dear father, do not give thyself to 

grief. 
Remember, thou hast many duties to 



ACT FOUR 75 

Perform, and honors high will crown 

thy life. 
And thou hast learn'd TO worship 

God ! the true 
Jehovah, who did save His chosen 

seed, 
That from their loins, Messiah, King, 

should come — 
Redeemer of the world from all its 

sin. 

Jeptha. 

These greater gifts do not obscure 
my loss. 

Daughter. 

Thou would' st have given me a sac- 
rifice 

As Balak, who did plan to burn his 
son, — 

Revolting off'ring, — to his heathen 
god 

Chemosh. By superstition thou wert 
bound, 

And thought a slave might greet thy 
glad return. 

But in my childish glee, so proud was 
I 

To see such glory come to thee, I was 

The first to welcome thee. 

And thus did God 



76 JEPTHA'S DAUGHTER 

Reprove, and teach thee of thy 

wrong. And now 
I live, and more, for thou hast 

learn'd to know 
The true and mighty God of Israel. 

Jeptha. 

No lesson ever learn'd at dearer 
price. 

Daughter. 

But thou art judge of Gilead! The 

cause 
Of Israel hath greatly wan'd, and 

thou 
Art in a place to save our heritage. 
Unless thou dost, then God must 

raise instead 
Some Samson, strong, or else our 

cause is lost. 
The enemies without are overcome, 
The enemies within must be subdu'd, 
That Gilead may take her rightful 

place. 
Jeptha. 

The sorrow of my heart destroys my 

pride 
And lays ambition low. My spirit 

fails. 
I've wrought on battle-field and 

gain'd the day, 



ACT FOUR 77 

But to return to die with broken 
heart. 

Daughter. 

A glory all thine own now crowns thy 

brow, 
Won on the gory battle-field, and 

now 
In peace still greater honor soon will 

come 
To thee. Thou wilt at last forget the 

pain 
And anguish of this hour. Thy 

soul wilt find 
Sweet joy in serving God and na- 
tive land. 
Thy name wilt stand among the hon- 

or'd ones 
Of Israel in Immortality. 

{Jeptha drazvs his daughter close 

to him in grief.) 

Jeptha. 

Dear child, how can I part with thee? 

Thy life 
Grows dearer, since redeem'd by 

priest's decree. 
Thy filial love, and faith sublime, 

twice shown 
In acts of such heroic grace, hath 

bound 



78 JEPTHA'S DAUGHTER 

Thy heart unto my inmost soul with 
bonds 

Ten thousand fold increased. And 
now when freed 

From death, thou go'st to life impris- 
onment ! 
Captain. 

Thou are a miracle of grace, and 
faith, 

And love, divine, — and sweet sim- 
plicity. 

My heart bleeds sore for loss of 
thee, and yet 

I bow before thy brave resolve in 
deep 

Humility. Thy sacrifice dost shame 

Us all. My love for thee shall fill 
my heart 

Until it beats no more. Dear heart, 
farewell. 
Daughter. 

Thy words have touch'd my heart. I 
counted well 

The cost in offering my sacrifice. 
{She turns to the elders.) 

Respected elders, humbly do I bow 

To our high priest's decree. It is a 
just 

And righteous law. I yield me to 
His will 



ACT FOUR 79 

And, yielding, do the greater service 

to 
My God. 

But one request I make before 
I go, — that I may have some little 

time 
For preparation, — taking leave of 

friends 
And scenes so dear, — and to bewail 

my lot 
As virgin evermore; for thus I've lost 
All hope of being in the fam'ly tree 
That traces our Messiah's lineage. 

Elder No. i. 

Brave child, thou speakest as in- 
spir'd of God. 

We'll soothe the sadness of thy fa- 
ther's heart. 

And these young friends will go with 
thee upon 

Thy pilgrimage of sad adieu, to bid 

Farewell to friends and all that's 
dear to thee. 
{Virgin leads her about the stage.) 

Virgin. 

Dear friend, we feel the sadness of 
thy lot, 

And offer thee good cheer. Remem- 
ber us, 



8o JEPTHA'S DAUGHTER 

And all these scenes of early youth, 

and we'll 
Remember thee. These mountains, 

vales, and streams 
Like silver threads, you'll oft recall, 

for all 
Their loveliness, when hous'd in your 

retreat. 
And on this day each year, we'll cele- 
brate. 
(Virgin leads her to her father.) 
Most honor' d judge, thy daughter we 

return 
That she may bid thee, last of all, 
farewell. 
Teptha. 

My child, I feign would match thy 

bravery. 
Complying with the priest's decree. 
(Solemn and strong, he speaks.) 

And now 
To thee, the fathers of our land, I 

yield 
My child. 

Within her veins, the noblest blood 
Of Israel runs red with deepest love 
For father, God, and native land. 

Before 
Her final act, I bow, as being more 
Than all the bloody heroism of war. 



ACT FOUR 8 1 

To her I owe the honors I have won. 

For her sweet life is made the costly 
price 

By which I gain'd them all. My 
only child, 

Farewell, farewell, farewell. May 
God keep thee 

Beneath the shadow of His wing, and 
in 

The hollow of His hand. Farewell, 
farewell. 
(Elders lead her to the center of 
stage, chorus gathers about her, 
and sings following words 
adapted from an author un- 
known.) 

Maid of Gilead, fare thee well. 

Hear our mournful chorus swell. 
While among the valleys lone 
We for thee will truly mourn. 

Breezes of her natal sky 

Waft to her our pitying cry. 
Farewell, Jeptha's daughter. 

No mother watches o'er thy bed. 

No father blesses thy young head, 
Guarding thee, no brothers stand 
Nor gentle smiling sister band. 



82 JEPTHA'S DAUGHTER 

Never may thou as a bride 
Grace a happy lover's side. 
Farewell, Jeptha's daughter. 

Lonely virgin, not for thee 

A parent's sweet anxiety, 

No olive buds around thee twine, 
No voices singing infant chime, 

And that bright hope is lost to thee, 

Head of Messiah's line to be. 
Farewell, Jeptha's daughter. 

Maid of Gilead, fare thee well. 

Yearly shall this shady dell, 

Mountain path and verdant plain 
Echo our lamenting strain. 

May our mournful chorus swelling, 

Reach thee in thy lonely dwelling. 
Farewell, Jeptha's daughter. 

Anon. 



NOTE BY AUTHOR 

In sending Jeptha's daughter to Shiloh we 
have been influenced by those who have 
thought that the sacrifice proposed by Jeptha 
was a rash act, and not in keeping with the 
teaching of the Scriptures. Jeptha may have 
meant it literally without taking into consid- 
eration the possible consequences. Hence 
his great grief and surprise when his own 
and only daughter became the subject of this 
sacrifice. Jeptha might not have thought 
that it might be any human being, much less 
his daughter. 

God may have permitted Jeptha's daugh- 
ter to have been the first object seen in or- 
der to teach him the true nature of a sacred 
vow, and how far his own mind had been 
influenced by his associations with heathen 
peoples. 

We have given this subject much study 
and find that the Talmudic scholars them- 
selves have been about evenly divided as to 
the fate of Jeptha's daughter. 

Sending her to Shiloh was a sacrifice with- 
in the legitimate meaning of the Scriptures 
83 



84 JEPTHA'S DAUGHTER 

which do not confine the word to a literal 

^ActFive is therefore an enlargement upon 
this idea and as we think a legitimate in- 

6 The 6 play might stop with the fourth act. 
But some of our critics have thought the 
reader or, if played, the audience should not 
be left carrying the sad thought of her lite- 
long imprisonment. 

We have no disposition whatever to ques- 
tion the statement of t he , Scri P tl {. re . ^V"?; 
ply to interpret it in the larger light of the 
Scriptures themselves. 



ACT FIVE 

The Year of Jubilee 

Characters: Ephraimite, Jeptha, Elders, 
Captain, Messengers, Chorus 

(Jeptha on Stage Alone. An Ephraimite 
Comes Along) 

Jeptha. 

How sad the years, with all their 

weight of care. 
And, over all, the thought of my dear 

child 
Has rent my heart in twain. Had 

she but died 
The grief would not have been so 

sore. For she 
Must grieve for father, home, and 

friends. For though 
Resign'd to fate and service so sub- 
lime, 
Her heart, so young and full of 

youth's delights, 
85 



86 JEPTHA'S DAUGHTER 

Must sink below the grave. O God, 
relieve ! 
(Aroused from grief by Ephraimite) 

Ephraimite. 

I come to ask why thou didst go 

against 
The Ammonites alone, and call'd not 

us? 

Jeptha. 

The strife with Ammon was severe 

and when 
We call'd, ye did refuse, and held 

aloof. 

Ephraimite. 

Our share of victory do we demand, 
Since we increas'd the number of thy 
troops. 

Jeptha. 

But ye refused, and when we took our 

lives 
In hand against strong Ammon, God 

did give 
Him o'er to us, — thou seekest cause 

for war. 

Ephraimite. 

Ye Gileadites are fugitives from out 
Of Ephraim, and we'll compel our 
claim. 



ACT FIVE 87 

Jeptha. 

Thy brethren went to Gideon once 
with such 

A claim as this, and he by words of 
smooth 

Conceit didst compromise. But I re- 
fuse. 

Ephraimite. 

We'll burn thy house above thy head 

and take 
Our spite against thy selfish victory. 

Jeptha. 

I see no hope of peace in compro- 
mise, 

And will not yield to purposes so 
base. 

If that low breed of Ephraimites 
would fight, 

I'll call all Gilead to arms, and slay 

Them root and branch. I will no 
more of thee. 

Ephraimite. 

I'll devastate thy lands and swallow 

up 
All Israel, and make thy people 
slaves. 
{Elders approach, inquiring about 
the conversation. Ephraimite 
withdraws. ) 



88 JEPTHA'S DAUGHTER 

Elder. . . 

What evil brings this Ephraimite to 

vex 

Thy noble soul to such degree of 
rage? 
Jeptha. . . 

He'd share the spoils of victory, when 

not 
A man of all their treacherous tribe 

would come 
To our relief against unequal foes. 

Elder. .. 

He seeks a quar'l, and would assail 

our land 
So weaken'd now by long and con- 
stant war. 

Teptha. / , . , 

I'll go against this heathen dog with 

all t , 

The force of Gilead, and rid our land 
And Israel of this historic foe. 

Elder. . ^i ,1 

The cause is just, as God would own, 

for they 
Would raze the altars built to wor- 
ship Him, 
And set up graven images of false 
And heathen gods,— of silver and of 
gold. 



ACT FIVE 89 

Jeptha. 

They threaten to usurp the land God 
gave 

All Israel, and turn it o'er to hands 

Unclean with heathen sacrifice, and 
rob 

Us of our heritage. 
Elder. 

The Philistines 

Are on all sides, awaiting some at- 
tack, 

And "Ephraim has join'd his idols 
too." 

Our holy cause is in such jeopardy 

That some strong arm must strike at 
once, or God 

Our Lord will have no name in all 
the earth. 
Jeptha. 

Go, call the captain of our hosts, I'll 
give 

Command of such degree against this 
tribe 

Of fugitives that they will vex no 
more. 
{Elder gets captain and brings 
him.) 
Captain. 

Am at your service, sir, and wait com- 
mand. 



90 JEPTHA'S DAUGHTER 

Jeptha. 

I would that thou should'st call thy 

men of war 
And rid our land of this insult from 

these 
Vile Ephraimites, who worship not 

our God, 
But make them other gods to take 

the place 
Of that true worship taught good 

Moses in 
The mount. They brib'd a vagrant 

Levite priest 
To serve at their unholy shrine, to 

give 
The truer semblance to our forms 

divine. 
Captain. 

The cause is just. We must preserve 

the fruits 
Of victory to save the name of God. 

Jeptha. 

Our altars crumble everywhere, and 

we 
Must strike a deadly blow to save 
our cause. 

Captain. 

Since they have been with us in camp, 
how shall 



ACT FIVE 91 

We tell them from our own? — else 

we shall fail? 
Jeptha. 

Command the Jordan passages, and 

those 
Who come and ask to cross, demand 

of them 
The pass-word, "Shibboleth," and 

those who lisp 
And answer "Sibboleth," thou'lt 

slay them on 
The spot, for they are traitor Ephra- 

imites. 
Captain. 

Wise Judge, adieu; I'll follow thy 

command. 
{Captain exits. Several elders 

enter.) 
Elder i. 

Good Judge, well done, for these vile 

hordes would lord 
It o'er God's heritage, and claim the 

right. 
For father Jacob gave his doted son 
The greater blessing, whom they 

boast as head 
Of all their tribes, and think them- 
selves above 
The common Gileadites whom they 

despise. 



92 JEPTHA'S DAUGHTER 

Elder 2. 

And now, O judge, since thou dost 

stay to guide 
The destinies of Gilead, I would 
Advise, and speak of our distress. 

Our wars 
Have laid us low. The land has 

failed to yield 
Its fruits for seven years, and those 

who gave 
Relief oppress their debtors sore, and 

make 
Them slaves. All o'er the land they 

cry as in 
Old Egypt's time for God's deliver- 
ance. 

Elder i. 

Yea, Jeptha, thou exalted judge, 'tis 

true. 
The years of famine so extreme, and 

war, 
Itself a pestilence, have wrought a 

state 
Of lawlessness, and ev'ry man but 

seeks 
His own, without regard to neighbor 

or 
To God. For eighty silver shekels 



h 



as 



ACT FIVE 93 

Been sold an ass's head, and all de- 
cry 

Their sins, and groan in penitence, 
and lift 

Their voice to God in prayer, — "O 
Lord, how long?" 

Jeptha. 

These things have vex'd my soul for 

many days. 
E'er since I've been your judge, espe- 
cially 
Since God has crown'd our arms with 

victory, 
I've sought from Him the wisdom He 

would give. 
But since conditions are so general, 
Involving national concern, I've 

thought 
To send to Shiloh to consult the good 
High priest, who knows the laws of 

God, and who 
Can better intercede in our behalf. 
For we will need authority to force 
The needed change. We need the 

help of God. 

Elder 2. 

But Shiloh is in Ephraim. 'Twill 

not 
Be safe to venture there until a truce 



94 JEPTHA'S DAUGHTER 

Is made, or better still, till peace is 

made, 
Through our success in arms, for 

Ephraim 
Will not allow our passage through 

his land. 

Jeptha. 

No news from our campaign against 

those base 
And envious Ephraimites? But list, 
what noise? 
{Noise of shouts and rejoicing. 
Enter the captain.) 

Captain. 

Most noble judge, and honor d el- 
ders, Flail. . 
Our victory's complete, and Ephraim 
Will vex no more. The forty-two 

who mock'd 
Elisha were destroy'd by bears, and 

out 
Of Ahab's house were forty-two that 

came 
To death, and thousands forty-two of 

those 
Bold Ephraimites were slain, and 

now our land 
Can rest in peace, and strengthen all 

her bounds. 



ACT FIVE 95 

Elder i. 

The God of Abraham be prais'd, for 

He 
Has favor'd us and come to our re- 
lief. 
Jeptha. 

And now our messengers may safely 

go. 
Choose elders who may best present 
our plea. 
{Trumpeters rush on stage, blow- 
ing their trumpets to the four 
points of the compass. Fol- 
lowing is the chorus which 
sings.) 

THE YEAR OF JUBILEE 

(Tune, "Lenox.") 

Blow ye the trumpet, blow, 
The gladly solemn sound, 

Let all the nations know 
To earth's remotest bound 

Chorus. 

The year of Jubilee has come, 
Return ye ransom'd captives home. 

The joyous trumpet hear, — 
The news of God's free grace. 



96 JEPTHA'S DAUGHTER 

Ye happy souls draw near, 
Behold His smiling face. 
Chorus. 

The year of Jubilee has come, 
Return ye ransom'd captives home. 

For He our great high Priest 
Has full redemption made. 
Ye weary spirits rest: — 
Ye mournful souls be glad! 
Chorus. 

The year of Jubilee has come, 
Return ye ransom'd sinners home. 
Amen. 

(All remain on stage until end.) 

Elder i. 

How great and righteous is our God, 

who made 
This law to save His chosen seed 

from dire 
Oppression, and to give new chance 

to all! 

Jeptha. 

A mighty providence doth rule us all. 
Just now, when hope is gone, and all 

our land 
Is plung'dto lowest depths of grim 

despair, 



ACT FIVE 97 

In fear of revolution's torch and 

blood, 
The year of Jubilee has come to free 
All from their galling chains, and 

give new life 
Again, — another chance to win in 

life's 
Hard struggle for success, and drive 

the wolves 
Of want from ev'ry door, and break 

the bonds 
So long impos'd by heartless credi- 
tors. 
Elder 2. 

Yea, righteous judge, the captives too 

are free 
And have their liberty, — to win their 

mead 
Of life's reward. From hill and dale 

the shouts 
Resound. 
Jeptha. 

Our God is good and 
watches o'er 
His own. That we may know the 

full import 
Of this great day, let messengers be 

sent 
At once to Shiloh's shrine to learn 

how far 



98 JEPTHA'S DAUGHTER 

The laws of this glad Jubilee apply. 

{Messengers rush on the stage, bear- 
ing word from the High Priest 
at Shiloh.) 

Messengers. 

All hail ! Our good High Priest has 
sent me to 

Proclaim the time, acceptable to God, 

At hand!! Relief has come to all 
our land, 

And bleeding Gilead may now re- 
joice. 

The year of jubilee has come, Re- 
joice! 
Jeptha. 

How reads the law, and how may 
this affect 

Our land, so scourged by pestilence 
of war? 
Messengers. 

The trumpet blast is heard through- 
out the whole 

Of Palestine, and everywhere the 
poor 

And lowly do rejoice. How great 
our God ! 
Jeptha. 

What special terms are given in this 
law? 



ACT FIVE 99 

Messengers. 

The land must rest, and beasts of 

burden too. 
No one may hold a slave, nor force 

a bond 
Upon his fellowman, for God has 

said, — 
"All these, my servants, shall be 

free," for it 
Is not a part of any plan that God 
Has made, to see the poor oppress'd. 

All debts 
And obligations are forgiv'n, that 

May reign in ev'ry heart, in peni- 
tence. 

Jeptha. 

But what about the vows we make to 
God 

By which we bind ourselves to spe- 
cial deed, — 

For special favor giv'n? Shall they 
be freed? 

Messengers. 

Our love to God and fellowman are 

on 
A common scale, and God would 

teach us all 



ioo JEPTHA'S DAUGHTER 

By His example how to love our 

own, 
And do for us what we should do 

for them. 
Jeptha. 

What more detail is given of this 

law? 

Messenger 2. 

All vows and oaths, and obligations, 

and 
Anathemas, which we may vow or 

pledge, 
Or swear, to which we're bound — in 

Jubilee 
May be repented of, and deem'd ab- 

solv'd, 
Forgiv'n, annull'd, and void, — of no 

effect. 
The Aramaic pray'r, "Kol Nidre," 

tells 
Us this, — that God absolves His 

debtors too ! 
Jeptha. 

Religious laws, 'twould seem, all laws 

annul ! 

Messenger i. 

The spirit of this day is meant to 
give 



ACT FIVE io i 

Us all a fuller view of God's good 

grace. 
This day is emblematical of God's 
Great love for all mankind through- 
out the world. 

Jeptha. 

Kind messenger, when I went forth 

to war 
I promis'd God a sacrifice if He 
Would give me victory. My vow He 

heard 
And chose my only child, who yielded 

all, 
And willingly did give herself to 

serve 
Him in the holy place at Shiloh's 

shrine. 
What word of comfort can you give 

for her? 
O, would that from her living death 

she might 
Be free, and cheer my sadly burden'd 

heart. 

Messenger i. 

The value of a vow does not consist 
Alone in cost of offering, but in 
The secret meaning giv'n by him who 
vows. 



102 JEPTHA'S DAUGHTER 

No one may bind another by his 

vow, — 
As though a slave, — She, too, must 

be set free. 
(Jeptha assumes an attitude of 

prayer.) 
Jeptha. 

O God of Jacob, by whose love di- 
vine 
Thy children's wants are met, — one 

pray'r my heart 
Would plead, — that I may see my 

child set free ! 
{A messenger rushes on the stage, 

with Jeptha f s daughter, shout- 
ing.) 
Messenger 3. 

The year of Jubilee has come and 

God 
Has set His servants free. The 

daughter of 
Our Judge is free, and cometh with 

the Priest!!! 
{Priest leads her to her father. 

The Captain also welcomes her. 

The chorus sings.) 

Hail, hail, to Jeptha's daughter, hail, 
Lone seed of his proud race, 

To bear through peace and battle's wail 
His blood in form and face. 



ACT FIVE 103 

Thou once wast dead, but livest now, — 
Wast lost, but now art found, — 

The grace our God will sure bestow 
On all His captives bound. 

The vict'ry of thy father, dear, 

Is now made doubly sweet 
While on this day we gather here 

His daughter, free, to greet. 

So in the coming harvest times, 

And in the vintage days, 
We'll ring the bells of Mizpah's chimes 

In everlasting praise. 

Amen. 

(As the curtain falls the Captain 
leads Jeptha f s daughter off the 
stage on his arm.) 



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